Gary Neville has launched another furious tirade against Arsenal’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover.
The Manchester United legend previously labeled Jover the ‘most annoying man in football’ due to his animated antics on the touchline.
At 43 years old, Jover has been instrumental in transforming Arsenal into one of Europe’s most formidable teams, particularly from set pieces, which has significantly enhanced their attacking play.
You can often find Jover next to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, especially during corners or free kicks, fully engaged in the action.
In the latest episode of Stick to Football, Neville reiterated just how much Jover irritates him, stating, “I called him the most annoying man in football… I’m cementing my position.”
“I’m doubling down. It’s offending me every week,” he continued. “I genuinely think he’s overreaching his importance.”
“If a goalkeeper makes a save, I don’t see the goalkeeping coach on the edge of the touchline. If there’s a good combination of passing in midfield, I don’t see the coach next to Arteta getting the glory for it.”
“The manager’s at the front; he can’t communicate from 100 yards away, or 50-60 yards away on the touchline to players who are methodical in their execution.”
“He stands there… I think he’s overreaching his importance, I genuinely believe that.”
Fellow podcast host and former Arsenal star Ian Wright responded, “He is important.”
Neville replied, “That’s how I feel. I get he’s important, he’s doing a great job, but I do genuinely think he needs to sit back a little bit.”
“I think the players will start to look at him and think, ‘come on’.”
Jamie Carragher added his perspective: “I think Neville’s made a great point, to be honest. I can’t disagree with it, I thought it was a bit harsh.”
“The Aston Villa one does the same.”
Jover was appointed as Arsenal’s set-piece coach in July 2021.
During the 2023–24 season, with Jover’s assistance, Arsenal netted twenty set-piece goals (excluding penalties) in the Premier League, the highest in the league. Sixteen of those were from corners, matching the record for a single Premier League campaign.
Arteta and Jover previously worked together at Manchester City.
Jover joined City in July 2019 as an assistant to Pep Guardiola, focusing on set-pieces, following Arteta’s recommendation when he was Guardiola’s No. 2.
Arteta left Manchester City for Arsenal’s head coach position in December 2019.
Neville may find himself even more triggered this weekend as he revealed he’ll be covering the Arsenal vs Aston Villa match.
He joked that Arteta and Unai Emery ‘may as well sit the f*** down.’
Currently, Arsenal sits second in the Premier League table, just four points behind leaders Liverpool, following a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the north London derby on Wednesday.
Emery’s Aston Villa achieved a 1-0 win over Everton midweek, placing them three points shy of Champions League contention.
In their previous encounter this season, Arsenal triumphed 2-0 at Villa Park on August 24.
